An intelligent and versatile actress, Gillian Anderson forged a career that spanned every medium - from American television and feature films, to the stages of London. A natural blonde, Anderson rose to fame as the no-nonsense redhead FBI agent Dana Scully on the cult sci-fi series, "The X-Files" (Fox, 1993-2002), a role which earned her a multitude of die-hard fans and both Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 1997, Anderson's recognition from her dark, chill-inducing series provided her with a solid platform from which to branch out into a variety of film and stage work. Exhibiting her full dramatic range, Anderson turned in critically acclaimed performances in the period film "The House of Mirth" (2000) and in the BBC miniseries, "Bleak House" (2005), which earned her more awards recognition. With an obvious skill for and love of her craft, Anderson established herself as an immensely gifted actress, even apart from her beloved characterization of Agent Dana Scully, for which she remained most revered.

An intelligent and versatile actress, Gillian Anderson forged a career that spanned every medium - from American television and feature films, to the stages of London. A natural blonde, Anderson rose to fame as the no-nonsense redhead FBI agent Dana Scully on the cult sci-fi series, "The X-Files" (Fox, 1993-2002), a role which earned her a multitude of die-hard fans and both Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 1997, Anderson's recognition from her dark, chill-inducing series provided her with a solid platform from which to branch out into a variety of film and stage work. Exhibiting her full dramatic range, Anderson turned in critically acclaimed performances in the period film "The House of Mirth" (2000) and in the BBC miniseries, "Bleak House" (2005), which earned her more awards recognition. With an obvious skill for and love of her craft, Anderson established herself as an immensely gifted actress, even apart from her beloved characterization of Agent Dana Scully, for which she remained most revered.

Became involved in community theater productions while still in high school

:

Performed the book tape version of Anne Rice's "Exit to Eden"

1991:

Appeared in the off-Broadway production of "Absent Friends"

1992:

Feature film debut in "The Turning"

1993:

Breakthrough role as FBI agent Dana Scully opposite David Duchovny's Fox Mulder on the paranormal crime drama series "The X-Files" (Fox); Anderson reportedly cast on the series' pilot the same day her unemployment check arrived

1997:

Made cameo appearance as a big-haired working-class girl who fights with her boyfriend in "Chicago Cab"

1997:

Contributed her voice to the animated Dana Scully on an episode of Fox's "The Simpsons"

1998:

Landed supporting role as an eccentric, alcoholic biker chick in "The Mighty"

1998:

Reprised Emmy-winning role of Dana Scully for the feature film "The X-Files"

1998:

Offered fine turn as a romantically embittered theater director finding love with architect Jon Stewart in the ensemble film "Playing By Heart"

2000:

Starred as Lily Bart in Terence Davies film adaptation of "The House of Mirth"

2005:

Portrayed Lady Dedlock in the BBC/PBS adaptation of "Bleak House," based on the novel by Charles Dickens; earned BAFTA (2006), Emmy (2006) and Golden Globe (2007) nominations for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie

2006:

Featured in "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" a film version of the Laurence Stern novel <i>The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman</i>

2006:

Played the wife to an English doctor in "The Last King of Scotland," about Ugandan dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker)

2008:

Reprised role of Agent Scully for "The X-Files: I Want to Believe," the second feature based on the cult Fox series

2008:

Joined an ensemble cast for the comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People"

2010:

Cast as the Duchess of Windsor in the miniseries "Any Human Heart" (Channel 4/PBS)

Education

Notes

From "Agent of Fortune" by Virginia Campbell, Movieline (June 1995):

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be an actress?

A: In high school my grades were bad--I was daydreaming, pulling pranks. I got into a heavy punk scene. I had a nose ring and my hair was purple and black and blue. I dressed in black. I was very confused, and a loner. I was in a relationship with a man 10 years older than me when I was 14. He was in a punk band, and I used to give him cans of food from our house and buy him Big Gulps and cigarettes. I was terrible. In 11th grade I decided to audition for a community theater play and I got the part, and then I felt extremely happy, like I had found my place. My grades went up and I was voted most improved student.

Q: What happened to the older guy?

A: I heard a while ago he was studying to become an entertainment lawyer, which scares the hell out of me because he was a pathological liar (laughs).

Worked as a waitress at Dojos, a popular low-priced Greenwich Village restaurant, shortly before getting hired for "The X-Files"

Not to be confused with the conductor and preservationist Gillian Bunshaft Anderson.

On her work in "The Mighty": "I realized that she has that Meryl Streep thing of transforming herself. Who do I want to be the lead in my next movie? If she was any way right, I want it to be Gillian." --Director Peter Chelsom to Us, October 1997.

Anderson is an Internet favorite. According to Empire (September 1998), 95 web sites wax lyrical about her pierced naval or the Tahitian tortoise tattoos on her ankles--and many obsessives have been too quick to demonstrate their passion.

"I've been sent a lot of stuff," she says, obviously wary of upsetting the hardcore faithful. "It's a little odd to have people send you pencil renditions of you. It's not a scary fan base, it's just, intense ..."

Errol Clyde Klotz. Art director. Canadian; born c. 1961; worked as production designer on "The X-Files"; married New Year's Day 1994 in a Buddhist ceremony on a Hawaiian golf course; separated in October 1996; divorced.

companion:

Adrian Hughes. Actor. Met when he appeared on "The X-Files"; dumped him in wake of reports that he had sexually attacked three young aspiring actresses c. January 1997.

companion:

Rodney Rowland. Actor. Dated c. 1997-98.

companion:

Julian Ozanne. Film producer. Friends since 1999; dating as of November 2002.